DOT plans to invest $111 million in Polk roadways next year | Transportation

Bartow, FL - The Polk Transportation Planning Organization met on Tuesday to review the $111.2 million road projects proposed for 2011-2012, as the Florida Department of Transportation's five-year work schedule will allot significant funding to Polk county next year. Most road work is planned for Bartow, Lakeland, and Winter Haven.

Construction on the Bartow Northern Connector, from U.S. 17 to U.S. 98, should cost around $24.7 million, while intersection improvements will target State Road 60 in Bartow and are expected to total $14.3 million.

Widening of Lakeland road U.S. 98 will cost $6.7 million, re-routing freight trains would take $5.1 million, and multiple projects to add lighting to major roadways are scheduled to start first.

More engineering studies for future construction will be possible in the 2012-13 budget, reintroducing the possibility of financing fog and smoke detectors to help motorists' visibility.